Stockport Lib Dem councillor defects to Conservatives

Cllr John Smith, a councillor for the Offerton Ward in Stockport, has defected from the Liberal Democrats to the Conservatives. The council is a Lib Dem minority administration sustained by an unofficial arrangement with the Ratepayers Association councillors. A third of the seats are up for election this year. At present the Lib Dems are on 29, Labour on 18 and the Conservatives 12.

Sometimes defections have more to do with personal disputes that political views. However this does not seem to be the case here.

Cllr Smith says:

"I have not done this for personal reasons and it was a very difficult decision to make.

"I decided to join the Tories because nationally they have shown a lot more leadership than their coalition partners.

"You have to search your soul from time to time.

"I believe it will be a positive move and one in which I will still be in a position to help the people of Offerton."

Welcome aboard.